The wonderful adventures of the olive tree

Once upon a time, there was a friendly olive tree, that lived forever, overseeing all the changing times, places and cultures. Besides being beauti...

Once upon a time, there was a friendly olive tree, that lived forever, overseeing all the changing times, places and cultures. Besides being beautiful and elegant, the olive tree has wonderful and special qualities. It has history and charming anecdotes to share from what it has seen.

Since the olive tree has been with us from the beginning of time, it is one of the oldest crops. No one knows for sure where it was first cultivated, but investigations placed it around 4,000 BC.

It has such amazing qualities that it has been present throughout the most important times in human history. The pigeon that Noah sent after the flood to search for life came back with an olive tree leaf, meaning that peace had come back. Even today, the olive tree represents peace, resilience and resistance since it can endure harsh conditions and later on become green again. It also represents prosperity and fertility because of its richness in flowers and fruits.

In Egypt, decorations with olive leaves were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun. In the old days of Greece, it was a sign of victory. The winners of the tournaments were given a crown fashioned from olive tree leaves. Greek mythology relates the olive tree with wisdom with Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom who was said to create the Olive tree by hitting the ground with her spear where it soon sprouted afterward.

The olive tree can live more than 2,000 years, making it an apt symbol of longevity. All this is fascinating for me as every time I see an olive tree, I stare at it and think about everything that it has been through and how it still has the same splendor. If that is one of its qualities, sign me up!

The olive tree has been valued and taken care of by all cultures, and it’s because one of its most highlighted qualities is its medicinal properties. Supported by science, what the ancients seemed to believe is very real. This is why the olive tree has long been used in every society, and now more than ever, we should continue to rely on it in all its splendor. As it always has been, it will continue to be there for us.